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BEEKEEPING LEARNING CENTER => GENERAL BEEKEEPING - MAIN POSTING FORUM. => Topic started by: waterstonen on March 31, 2021, 01:46:53 PM

Title: What to do with capped honey frames from dead hive
Post by: waterstonen on March 31, 2021, 01:46:53 PM
Early in the winter, on one of the warm days in December, a 400 lb black bear pushed over 2 of my hives.  The bear didn't make a big meal of it because he became frustrated with it being strapped down.  The next day the cold set in and by the time I right sized the hives, there were many dead from the cold.  Since there was some form of a cluster, I let it be and hoped for the best.  When I opened the hive a few weeks ago, they had all perished.  Inside the hive was left fully capped fully filled deeps with end-to-end honey.  I removed the honey frames and stored them in my shed in a sealed container. Temp was probably around 50 degrees. 

My question:  Can I use these honey frames to support my spring splits and nucs?  I probably have 30 very heavy frames.

Thanks in advance. 
Title: Re: What to do with capped honey frames from dead hive
Post by: Ben Framed on March 31, 2021, 02:00:30 PM
Yes you can. Welcome to Beemaster!
Title: Re: What to do with capped honey frames from dead hive
Post by: The15thMember on March 31, 2021, 02:00:59 PM
Welcome to Beemaster!  :happy:  I see no reason why you couldn't use that honey for nucs, splits, or anything else.  The only concern I'd have about sharing honey frames between hives is if there was a possibility that the hive died from a disease, but it seems clear in your case that nothing was amiss, so I wouldn't be concerned about it at all. 
Title: Re: What to do with capped honey frames from dead hive
Post by: CoolBees on March 31, 2021, 04:58:14 PM
I concur with the answers above - Yes. It would be a great way to give a Nuc or a split a boost. 15th's advice is also correct regarding disease. That's really the only worry that I know of.

... and Welcome to Beemaster.
Title: Re: What to do with capped honey frames from dead hive
Post by: cao on March 31, 2021, 05:34:33 PM
welcome  :happy: